POLICE investigating a scam that saw 12 people in Coventry pay deposits for cars that were never for sale have arrested a man.

Buyers in Coventry and other parts of the West Midlands paid up to £500 to secure a car after replying to an advert.

Detectives looking at bank accounts used by offenders have arrested a 27-year-old from Hall Green, Birmingham on suspicion of fraud.

He has been bailed until next month pending further analysis of his bank accounts, phone records and computer.

Det Con Cath Dell said: “The scam involves would-be buyers calling the seller on a phone number listed in the advert. Each victim has spoken to a man with an Asian accent who has claimed interest is high in the vehicle and a deposit is needed to secure it.

“Victims are transferring amounts ranging from £50 to £500 to various bank accounts and arrangements made to collect the vehicle at a named location often in Birmingham or Solihull.

“However people have found that often these addresses don’t exist and they’ve never seen the car or their money again.”

Most adverts have appeared in specialist car publications and referred to Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Rav 4 and Minis.